All right, so you guys wanted to hear more about Chrissy Sela.
And we found this really insightful interview with her on the diary of a CEO YouTube channel.
Yeah, definitely insightful.
So let's take a deep dive into it and see what we can learn.
Sounds good to me.
You know, going into this, I was expecting a pretty typical success story, you know, but I was really
struck by how open Chrissy was about the challenges she's faced, especially as like a young, attractive
woman in the fitness industry.
Yeah, it's not something you hear every day, is it?
No, not at all.
I mean, it's so refreshing how she just owns that frustration of being underestimated, you know.
Yeah, she even points out how people just see this pretty young lady who works out and they automatically
make all these assumptions about her business sense.
Yeah, like her looks almost become this hurdle she has to constantly overcome.
Exactly.
And it's not just in business either.
Oh, definitely not.
Like she even mentions how on dates guys sometimes assume her success is just because of how she
looks. It's crazy, right?
Yeah, and you can just hear that passion and almost like a little bit of anger in her voice when she
says that quote, it pisses me off.
It pushes me more to achieve more.
Oh, yeah, absolutely.
Like that's serious fuel for her fire.
Like that's the drive right there.
Yeah, like she's driven to build something meaningful, not just prove people wrong.
And she's done just that.
Yeah.
I mean, think about it.
She's running multiple businesses, right?
A team of 30 people and her products sell out like crazy.
Constantly.
I mean, that's that's an empire, not just some influencer, you know.
With the whole brand.
Yeah.
I wonder, do you think the drive is even more intense because of her experience with being
bullied in school?
Oh, definitely possible.
Like, can you believe it was because of a mustache?
I know, I know.
I mean, it might seem kind of trivial now, but imagine, imagine being a teenager and
feeling so self-conscious about your appearance that you're eating lunch in the
bathroom for six months.
Yeah.
Like Chrissy talks about how isolating and painful that was, you know.
Absolutely.
It's no wonder she found solace in the gym like she calls it her therapy.
Yeah.
And a way to just escape all that negativity.
I really agree to escape.
But it became so much more than that, right?
Oh, yeah, for sure.
I'm the discipline, the resilience she built through fitness.
Yeah.
It spilled over into like every single aspect of her life.
You know, it wasn't just about a physical transformation.
It was about building that mental strength and confidence.
Coolly.
Which, let's be honest, those are qualities that are like essential for any
entrepreneur.
Oh yeah, absolutely essential.
Yeah.
So there's this one story she tells that I found really fascinating.
Oh, yeah.
She's driving to her waitressing job and she's hit with this overwhelming feeling,
almost like a premonition.
Wow.
That she's going to achieve something big by helping other women.
I love that story.
Isn't that amazing?
It's all about intuition and having an authentic purpose.
You know, she wasn't following some predetermined path or trying to be someone
she wasn't, she was just being herself and that resonated with people.
Yeah.
And she even compares herself to Joe Wicks.
Oh, yeah, I see it.
Another fitness entrepreneur who's known for that genuine personality.
Oh, totally.
And relatable content.
I mean, there's a real authenticity to both of them and it's so refreshing.
You know?
I think so too.
It builds trust.
Yeah.
Especially in a world where everyone's online persona is so curated.
Absolutely.
That genuine connection, it can be so powerful.
Yeah.
Especially in the fitness industry where vulnerability is often
hidden behind those perfectly posed photos.
Oh, absolutely.
Yeah.
Now, let's talk about Chrissy's relationship with her ex-fiancé,
Jack, with whom she built her business.
Talk about a pressure cooker, right?
Oh, my gosh.
I mean, it's a really interesting case study on mixing love and business.
Yeah.
When you're building a company together, those lines between work life and personal life,
they can get so blurry.
Oh, yeah.
And that can put a lot of strain on a relationship.
Especially when you throw in a major lawsuit.
Oh, yeah.
I was so surprised to learn that their breakup was actually quite amicable.
It really was.
Despite all that stress of working together and facing this big legal challenge.
Yeah.
It speaks to their maturity, you know, and their commitment to the business
because even in all that perm oil,
Yeah.
they managed to separate the personal from the professional, you know?
Yeah.
And they kept a strong working relationship.
Yeah.
I think that's key, you know?
She even says she'd give him her kidney if he needed it.
Wow.
So what was the lawsuit about?
Hmm.
It felt like a pretty big event in their journey.
Yeah.
But I could have used a little more background there.
You're right.
They don't really go into the details of the lawsuit in this interview.
Okay.
But they mention it was a dispute with a former business partner.
Oh, okay.
And from what they say, it sounds like a classic disagreement over ownership
and control of the company as it grew, you know?
Yeah.
Which unfortunately, it happens a lot in the startup world.
Right.
Yeah.
It's common, I guess.
Yeah.
Things move so fast.
It sounds like it put a lot of pressure on them both personally and professionally.
For sure.
I can see why Chrissy might be a little hesitant to jump back into another relationship
with a business partner after that whole ordeal.
Yeah.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Yeah.
About the whole sustainability of that kind of setup.
Right.
Especially when you consider their individual personalities.
Yeah, it's a lot to think about.
Yeah.
It makes me think about how both Chrissy and the interviewer, Steven Bartlett,
share this experience of being children of immigrants.
Interesting, right.
And they both say that really shaped their work ethic and ambition.
Oh, absolutely.
Like, think about it.
Yeah.
They both saw those sacrifices their parents made firsthand.
Yeah.
You know, that relentless hard work, that dedication it took to build a life in a new country.
Absolutely.
These values were instilled in them from a young age.
Yeah.
And for Chrissy, it was even more powerful.
Oh, yeah.
I mean, she talks about her mom working three jobs while her dad struggled with gambling.
She learned resilience and that importance of hard work out of necessity.
Out of necessity, yeah.
Yeah.
It's amazing.
It's like this upbringing instilled in them this deep-seated belief.
Yeah.
That success comes from tireless effort, you know?
Yeah.
It's fascinating how those early experiences show up in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Yeah.
They're both incredibly driven and successful.
Yeah.
But, and they admit this, you know, they both struggle to find partners who really
understand that level of dedication.
Right.
Like, they're so used to pushing themselves to the limit that it's hard to find someone
who can keep up.
Yeah.
Keep up and share that intensity, you know?
And who gets it?
Yeah.
Exactly.
Yeah.
That's a unique challenge.
It is.
It's almost like they've internalized this immigrant work ethic so much that it's become a
barrier to finding a partner who truly gets them.
Yeah, maybe.
And it makes me think about Chrissy's relationship with her online community.
She describes it as being closer than some of her real-life friendships.
Yeah.
That really stood out to me, too.
It's interesting, right?
It speaks to how powerful these online communities can be.
Yeah.
You know, creating a sense of belonging.
Yeah.
Especially for people who might feel isolated or misunderstood in their offline lives.
So sure.
Like, she talks about how her followers appreciate her humor and her vulnerability.
Exactly.
And how she feels understood by them in a way she doesn't always experience with people in
her everyday life.
Yeah, I might can see that.
It's a double-edged sword, though.
Oh, how so?
On the one hand, it's amazing she's built this supportive space where people feel comfortable
sharing their struggles.
Right.
She mentions receiving thousands of messages from people opening up about their own
experiences with depression after she posted a video about her mental health.
Wow, that's a lot to carry emotionally.
It is.
How does she even manage that level of interaction and responsibility?
It seems like she's built a really strong support system within her business.
OK.
To handle that volume of messages and make sure people feel heard.
That makes sense.
Like, she talks about having a big customer support team dedicated to responding to every
single message.
Wow.
Even if it's just a simple acknowledgement.
That's huge.
I mean, that's a really important takeaway for anyone building an online community, right?
Oh, absolutely.
It's not just about creating content.
Yeah.
It's about fostering that genuine connection and providing support.
Yeah.
Creating a space where people feel seen and valued, which Chrissy seems to be really good at.
Yeah, she does.
But it's interesting how this deep connection she has online contrasts with the challenges
she faces in her personal relationships offline.
It is.
It's like she's poured so much of herself into her online community and her businesses.
Yeah.
That she hasn't left much room for nurturing those real life connections.
I see what you mean.
Yeah.
And she even admits to blaming herself for this.
Oh, really?
Yeah.
She says she's often too focused on work and struggles to be fully present with the people around her.
That's tough.
Yeah.
And then there's that heartbreaking story she shares about her best friend, Holly, who recently passed away.
Oh, wow.
Holly's mom had taken Chrissy in when she was homeless.
Oh, gosh.
And Chrissy was so consumed by work that Holly hesitated to reach out even when she was dying.
That's, that's heavy.
That story really hit me hard.
I can imagine.
It's a stark reminder that even the most ambitious goals can sometimes pale in comparison to the importance of human connection.
They really can.
It sounds like this experience was a real wake up call for Chrissy.
Yeah.
She says if she were to die next week, her biggest regret would be not living.
Powerful words.
It is.
It sounds like she's starting to realize that something needs to change.
Yeah.
But she's also incredibly hard on herself.
In what way?
She uses this really harsh language when she's talking about herself, calling herself an annoying little blank and questioning if she'll ever be able to find that balance in her life.
It's a lot of self criticism there.
It is.
But it also shows her desire for growth.
Yeah.
She doesn't want to stay stuck.
Right.
She's actively looking for ways to change and create a more fulfilling life for herself.
Yeah.
So let's talk about what she's doing to achieve that.
What's next for Chrissy?
Well, she has her book coming out called Do This For You.
Right.
Which focuses on building those sustainable fitness habits.
I love that it feels like a natural extension of her mission to empower women.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
It's not about quick fixes or chasing those unrealistic beauty standards.
No.
It's about cultivating a healthy, sustainable relationship with your body and your mind.
And she's very critical of the fitness industry's obsession with fad diets and extreme transformations.
Oh, totally.
Like she wants to offer something more balanced and realistic.
For sure.
It's about creating lasting change through discipline and consistency and self love.
And she's also launched an activewear line called Honor Active.
Right, which she says is built on a philosophy of timeless quality over fleeting trends.
Love that.
Yeah.
It aligns with her overall approach to business, you know.
Yeah.
Building something that lasts.
Yeah.
Something impactful rather than just chasing the latest fad.
So she's taking that long-term thinking and applying it to everything.
Her community, her business.
Yeah.
It's about building genuine connections and offering products that stand the test of time.
And speaking of her business, she's continuing to push boundaries with her fitness app,
Tonin Sculpt.
Oh, yeah.
She recently brought on a new trainer, Danielle Wilson.
I saw that.
A 200-pound African-American woman.
Yeah.
This decision really stood out to me.
Me too.
It's more than just adding another trainer.
Yeah.
It's a statement.
Totally.
About representation and expanding what a fitness guru looks like.
Right.
It challenges that traditional, often very narrow image of fitness that we see so much in the media.
Absolutely.
And it speaks to her commitment to building an inclusive community.
Yeah.
She was very intentional about this decision.
I could tell.
She specifically sought out Danielle because she was inspired by her.
Yeah.
And wanted to show women that fitness is for everybody.
Right.
Regardless of size or race.
Exactly.
It's so important.
And she even shared a story about how Danielle was approached by five other fitness brands.
Wow.
After the Black Lives Matter protests gained momentum.
It's almost like some companies were trying to just capitalize on the movement for their own benefit.
Yeah.
Kind of makes you wonder.
Yeah.
But it sounds like Chrissy's genuinely committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive fitness space.
It seems that way.
Yeah.
And Chrissy believes that Danielle made the right choice by partnering with Tone and Sculpt.
Because it's a company that aligns with her values.
And is actually committed to making a real difference.
Yeah.
Not just making a statement.
Yeah.
So it seems like Chrissy's future is full of these exciting possibilities.
It does.
Both personally and professionally.
Yeah.
But there's still that big question looming.
Mm hmm.
Will she be able to find happiness on a personal level?
Right.
That's the million dollar question.
Yeah.
She's achieved so much professionally but she's still grappling with those deeper questions of fulfillment, connection and belonging.
It's something a lot of people can relate to.
You know.
That search for meaning.
And she even admits to feeling scared of not finding love, getting married, having children.
All those things that she really wants.
Yeah.
It's almost like she's hit a wall in her personal life and isn't quite sure how to break through it.
It's a common fear.
Especially for someone who's so driven and used to achieving her goals.
Right.
She even wonders if she's too busy for love.
Which I'm sure a lot of entrepreneurs can relate to.
Oh, absolutely.
But I think it goes deeper than just being busy, right?
Oh, for sure.
It's about being present.
Yeah.
Available for connection.
It's tough when your mind is constantly on work.
It is, yeah.
And she recognizes this in herself.
Does she?
She talks about how she sometimes feels like she's living in her phone and not fully engaging with the world around her.
Hmm.
Yeah, it's almost like her phone has become both her lifeline to her community and this barrier to deeper connection in her personal life.
It's a real struggle, isn't it?
It is. That tension between ambition and personal fulfillment.
I think a lot of people can relate to that, whether they're entrepreneurs or not.
Yeah, absolutely.
It's a universal struggle in our hyper-connected world.
For sure.
You know, we're constantly bombarded with information, expectations.
Yeah.
It can be so hard to find that balance between striving for success and nurturing our well-being.
And Chrissy's story is such a perfect example of that struggle.
It is.
I mean, on one hand, she's achieved incredible success in her career.
Right.
Built this thriving business.
Yeah.
This inspiring community.
Absolutely.
But on the other hand, she's still searching for that deeper sense of connection.
Right.
And happiness in her personal life.
Yeah, and what's so powerful about her story is that willingness to be open.
Oh, yeah.
And honest about those struggles.
Totally.
She doesn't shy away from the less glamorous aspects of her journey.
She doesn't.
Like the mental health challenges, the loneliness, the self-doubt.
It makes her so relatable.
It's so relatable, yeah.
It's a reminder that even those who seem to have it all are often dealing with their own internal battles.
That's so true.
And I think it's especially important for young women to hear Chrissy's story.
I agree.
Because she's such a powerful role model, you know.
She's not afraid to be vulnerable, talk about her insecurities.
Right.
Show that success doesn't mean having everything figured out.
Yeah, she's a reminder that you can be ambitious and driven.
Yeah.
While also being authentic and human.
Yeah.
And that it's okay to ask for help, to acknowledge your struggles and prioritize your well-being.
Yeah, it's a good message.
It is.
So what does this all mean for our listener?
What can they take away from Chrissy's story?
I think it raises some important questions for all of us about the choices we make.
Yeah.
The values we prioritize.
Right.
The trade-offs we're willing to accept, you know, in pursuit of our goals.
It's a reminder that there's no one definition of success or happiness.
It's about figuring out what matters to you and building a life that aligns with your values.
Absolutely.
And being mindful of those potential costs of ambition.
For sure.
The sacrifices we might make.
Yeah.
The importance of finding balance.
It's like Chrissy said, her biggest regret would be not living.
Wow.
And I think that's something we all need to reflect on.
We do.
It's a reminder to prioritize the things that bring us joy and connection.
Absolutely.
To nurture our relationships.
Yeah.
Be present in our lives.
The Palaging Act.
It is.
But I think Chrissy's willingness to be so open about her journey,
both the triumphs and the struggles,
offers a really valuable roadmap for anyone navigating those complexities of life, work, and relationships.
And even though she's still figuring things out, just like all of us.
Yeah.
Her story is a good reminder that growth and evolution are continuous processes.
Yeah.
It's not about reaching some destination,
but about embracing the journey and learning along the way.
Absolutely.
So Chrissy's story leaves us with this final thought-provoking question for you to consider.
How do your personal values and experiences shape the way you approach your work,
relationships, and your pursuit of happiness?
That's a great question to ponder.
It is.
As you continue your own journey of self-discovery and create a life that's both meaningful and fulfilling.
Absolutely.
Thanks for joining us on this deep dive.
It's been a pleasure.